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| United States Patent |
6,263,878
|
|
Litovitz
|
July 24, 2001
|
Means for protecting living systems from adverse effects of electric,
magnetic and electromagnetic fields
Abstract
An arrangement for inhibiting the adverse effect of an ambient time varying
field having an electric component of 5 Kv/M or less and/or a magnetic
component of 500 .mu.T or less on a living system. To provide protection,
at least one of the characteristic parameters of said field to which the
living system is exposed is changed within time intervals of less than 10
seconds.
| Inventors:
|
Litovitz; Theodore A. (Annapolis, MD)
|
| Assignee:
|
The Catholic University of America (Washington, DC)
|
| Appl. No.:
|
642417 |
| Filed:
|
January 17, 1991 |
| Current U.S. Class: |
128/897; 600/9 |
| Intern'l Class: |
A61B 019/00 |
| Field of Search: |
600/9-15
128/897-98
|
References Cited
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Pillsbury Winthrop LLP
Claims
I claim:
1. A method of inhibiting the adverse effect on a living system of an
ambient time varying field having as characteristic parameters one or more
of amplitude, period, phase, waveform and direction, the field having an
electric component and a magnetic component, which method comprises the
step of changing at least one of the characteristic parameters of said
field to which the living system is exposed, and the step of effecting the
change within time intervals of less than 10 seconds.
2. A method of inhibiting the adverse effect on a living system of an
ambient time varying field having as characteristic parameters one or more
of amplitude, period, phase, waveform and direction, the field having an
electric component, which method comprises the step of changing at least
one of the characteristic parameters of said field to which the living
system is exposed, and the step of effecting the change within time
intervals of less than ten seconds.
3. A method of inhibiting the adverse effect on a living system of an
ambient time varying field having as characteristic parameters one or more
of amplitude, period, phase, waveform and direction, the field having a
magnetic component, which method comprises the step of changing at least
one of the characteristic parameters of said field to which the living
system is exposed, and the step of effecting the change within time
intervals of less than ten seconds.
4. A method as in any of one of claims 1, 2 or 3 in which the parameter of
said field which is changed is the amplitude of the field.
5. A method as in any of one of claims 1, 2 or 3 in which the parameter of
said field which is changed is the period of the field.
6. A method as in any of one of claims 1, 2 or 3 in which the parameter of
said field which is changed is the phase of said field.
7. A method as in any of one of claims 1, 2 or 3 in which the parameter of
said field which is changed is the waveform of said field.
8. A method as in any of one of claims 1, 2 or 3 in which the parameter of
said field which is changed is the direction of said field in space.
9. A method as in any of one of claims 1, 2 or 3 in which each parameter
change in said field occurs at irregular time intervals, with the longest
time intervals between changes being less than approximately 10 seconds.
10. A method as in claim 4 in which each parameter change in said field
occurs at irregular time intervals, with the longest time intervals
between changes being less than approximately 10 seconds.
11. A method as in claim 5 in which each parameter change in said field
occurs at irregular time intervals, with the longest time intervals
between changes being less than approximately 10 seconds.
12. A method as in claim 6 in which each parameter change in said field
occurs at irregular time intervals, with the longest time intervals
between changes being less than approximately 10 seconds.
13. A method as in claim 7 in which each parameter change in said field
occurs at irregular time intervals, with the longest time intervals
between changes being less than approximately 10 seconds.
14. A method as in claim 8 in which each parameter change in said field
occurs at irregular time intervals, with the longest time intervals
between changes being less than approximately 10 seconds.
15. A method as in any of one of claims 1, 2 or 3 in which each parameter
change in said field occurs at regular time intervals, with each time
interval between changes being less than approximately 10 seconds.
16. A method as in claim 4 in which each parameter change in said field
occurs at regular time intervals, with each time interval between changes
being less than approximately 10 seconds.
17. A method as in claim 5 in which each parameter change in said field
occurs at regular time intervals, with each time interval between changes
being less than approximately 10 seconds.
18. A method as in claim 6 in which each parameter change in said field
occurs at regular time intervals, with each time interval between changes
being less than approximately 10 seconds.
19. A method as in claim 7 in which each parameter change in said field
occurs at regular time intervals, with each time interval between changes
being less than approximately 10 seconds.
20. A method as in claim 8 in which each parameter change in said field
occurs at regular time intervals, with each time interval between changes
being less than approximately 10 seconds.
21. A method as in any of one of claims 1, 2 or 3 in which said ambient
field is at least in part the result of a time varying electric current
flowing in a conductor.
22. A method as in any of one of claims 1, 2 or 3 in which the change in
said ambient field is accomplished by effecting a change in at least one
source of the ambient field.
23. A method as in any of one of claims 1, 2 or 3 in which the change in
said ambient field is accomplished by superimposing upon said ambient
field one or more fields caused by one or more additional sources.
24. A method as in any of one of claims 1, 2 or 3 in which said ambient
field is one resulting from signals below AM band radio frequencies.
25. A method as in any of one of claims 1, 2 or 3 in which said ambient
field is one resulting from signals in AM band radio frequencies or higher
frequencies.
26. A method as in claim 24 in which said signals are modulated with
signals of lower frequencies.
27. A method as in claim 25 in which said signals are modulated with
signals of lower frequencies.
28. A method as in claim 27 in which the ambient field results from
microwave frequency signals and the modulation frequency is less than
100,000 Hz.
29. A method as in claim 9 in which the time interval between changes is
approximately one second or less.
30. A method as in claim 10 in which the time interval between changes is
approximately one second or less.
31. A method as in claim 11 in which the time interval between changes is
approximately one second or less.
32. A method as in claim 12 in which the time interval between changes is
approximately one second or less.
33. A method as in claim 13 in which the time interval between changes is
approximately one second or less.
34. A method as in claim 14 in which the time interval between changes is
approximately one second or less.
35. A method as in claim 15 in which the time interval between changes is
approximately one second or less.
36. A method as in claim 16 in which the time interval between changes is
approximately one second or less.
37. A method as in claim 17 in which the time interval between changes is
approximately one second or less.
38. A method as in claim 18 in which the time interval between changes is
approximately one second or less.
39. A method as in claim 19 in which the time interval between changes is
approximately one second or less.
40. A method as in claim 20 in which the time interval between changes is
approximately one second or less.
41. Apparatus for inhibiting the adverse effect on a living system of an
ambient time varying field having as characteristic parameters one or more
of amplitude, period, phase, waveform and direction, the field having an
electric component and a magnetic component, which apparatus comprises a
means for changing at least one of the characteristic parameters of said
field to which the living system is exposed, and a means for effecting the
change within time intervals of approximately 10 seconds or less.
42. Apparatus for inhibiting the adverse effect on a living system of an
ambient time varying field having as characteristic parameters one or more
of amplitude, period, phase, waveform and direction, the field having an
electric component, which apparatus comprises a means for changing at
least one of the characteristic parameters of said field to which the
living system is exposed, and a means for effecting the change within time
intervals of approximately ten seconds or less.
43. Apparatus for inhibiting the adverse effect on a living system of an
ambient time varying field having as characteristic parameters one or more
of amplitude, period, phase, waveform and direction, the field having a
magnetic component, which apparatus comprises a means for changing at
least one of the characteristic parameters of said field to which the
living system is exposed, and a means for effecting the change within time
intervals of approximately ten seconds or less.
44. An apparatus as in any one of claims 41, 42, or 43 in which the
parameter of said field which is changed is the amplitude of the field.
45. An apparatus as in any one of claims 41, 42, or 43 in which the
parameter of said field which is changed is the period of the field.
46. An apparatus as in any one of claims 41, 42, or 43 in which the
parameter of said field which is changed is the phase of said field.
47. An apparatus as in any one of claims 41, 42, or 43 which the parameter
of said field which is changed is the waveform of said field.
48. An apparatus as in any one of claims 41, 42, or 43 in which the
parameter of said field which is changed is the direction of said field in
space.
49. An apparatus as in any one of claims 41, 42, or 43 in which each
parameter change in said field occurs at irregular time intervals, with
the longest time intervals between changes being less than approximately
10 seconds.
50. Apparatus as in claim 44 in which each parameter change in said field
occurs at irregular time intervals, with the longest time intervals
between changes being less than approximately 10 seconds.
51. Apparatus as in claim 45 in which each parameter change in said field
occurs at irregular time intervals, with the longest time intervals
between changes being less than approximately 10 seconds.
52. Apparatus as in claim 46 in which each parameter change in said field
occurs at irregular time intervals, with the longest time intervals
between changes being less than approximately 10 seconds.
53. Apparatus as in claim 47 in which each parameter change in said field
occurs at irregular time intervals, with the longest time intervals
between changes being less than approximately 10 seconds.
54. Apparatus as in claim 48 in which each parameter change in said field
occurs at irregular time intervals, with the longest time intervals
between changes being less than approximately 10 seconds.
55. An apparatus as in any one of claims 41, 42, or 43 which each parameter
change in said field occurs at regular time intervals, with each time
interval between changes being less than approximately 10 seconds.
56. Apparatus as in claim 44 in which each parameter change in said field
occurs at regular time intervals, with each time interval between changes
being less than approximately 10 seconds.
57. Apparatus as in claim 45 in which each parameter change in said field
occurs at regular time intervals, with each time interval between changes
being less than approximately 10 seconds.
58. Apparatus as in claim 46 in which each parameter change in said field
occurs at regular time intervals, with each time interval between changes
being less than approximately 10 seconds.
59. Apparatus as in claim 47 in which each parameter change in said field
occurs at regular time intervals, with each time interval between changes
being less than approximately 10 seconds.
60. Apparatus as in claim 48 in which each parameter change in said field
occurs at regular time intervals, with each time interval between changes
being less than approximately 10 seconds.
61. An apparatus as in any one of claims 41, 42, or 43 in which said
ambient field is at least in part the result of a time varying electric
current flowing in a conductor.
62. An apparatus as in any one of claims 41, 42, or 43 in which the change
in said ambient field is accomplished by effecting a change in at least
one source of the ambient field.
63. An apparatus as in any one of claims 41, 42, or 43 in which the change
in said ambient field is accomplished by superimposing upon said ambient
field one or more fields caused by one or more additional sources.
64. An apparatus as in any one of claims 41, 42, or 43 in which said
ambient field is one resulting from signals below Am band radio
frequencies.
65. An apparatus as in any one of claims 41, 42, or 43 in which said
ambient field is one resulting from signals in AM band radio frequencies
or higher frequencies.
66. Apparatus as in claim 64 in which said signals are modulated with
signals of lower frequencies.
67. Apparatus as in claim 65 in which said signals are modulated with
signals of lower frequencies.
68. Apparatus as in claim 67 in which the ambient field results from
microwave frequency signals and the modulation frequency is less than
100,000 Hz.
69. An apparatus as in claim 49 in which the time interval between changes
is approximately one second or less.
70. An apparatus as in claim 50 in which the time interval between changes
is approximately one second or less.
71. An apparatus as in claim 51 in which the time interval between changes
is approximately one second or less.
72. An apparatus as in claim 52 in which the time interval between changes
is approximately one second or less.
73. An apparatus as in claim 53 in which the time interval between changes
is approximately one second or less.
74. An apparatus as in claim 54 in which the time interval between changes
is approximately one second or less.
75. An apparatus as in claim 55 in which the time interval between changes
is approximately one second or less.
76. An apparatus as in claim 56 in which the time interval between changes
is approximately one second or less.
77. An apparatus as in claim 57 in which the time interval between changes
is approximately one second or less.
78. An apparatus as in claim 58 in which the time interval between changes
is approximately one second or less.
79. An apparatus as in claim 59 in which the time interval between changes
is approximately one second or less.
80. An apparatus as in claim 60 in which the time interval between changes
is approximately one second or less.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to methods and apparatus for protecting living
systems from adverse effects upon them of electric fields, magnetic fields
and electromagnetic fields.
2. Background and Discussion of Related Art
For some years past there has been a growing recognition and concern that
humans are suffering adverse effects, notably cancers, from living and/or
working in ambient electromagnetic fields, particularly those fields which
are alternating or pulsating or being modulated at frequencies below 500
Hz. Ambient frequencies particularly identified with an enhanced risk of
cancer are those "power" frequencies at 60 Hz (U.S.) and 50 Hz (U.K. and
continental countries). Electromagnetic fields existing near devices using
cathode ray tubes also are implicated, due to fields generated by the
magnetic electron beam deflecting devices included in the tube control
apparatus.
Various articles have been published on the electromagnetic field problem.
Over the past 11 years a series of epidemiological studies have found that
low level electromagnetic fields [even as low as 1 .mu.T (1 micro Tesla)
for 60 Hz power line fields] can be correlated with increased incidence of
certain diseases. This correlation is strongest for those who have lived
or worked in this environment for many years. For example, an increased
risk of cancer has been found among children who lived for several years
close to power lines (Wertheimer, N. and Leeper, E. "Electrical Wiring
Configurations and Childhood Cancer", AM. J. EPIDEMIOLOGY, 109. 273-284
(1979); also, Savitz, D. A. et al., "Case Control Study of Childhood
Cancer and Exposure to 60-Hertz Magnetic Fields," AM. J. EPIDEMIOLOGY,
128, 10-20 (1988); also, Milham, S. Jr., "Increased Mortality in Amateur
Radio Operators Due to Lymphatic and Hematopoietic Malignancies," AM. J.
EPIDEMIOLOGY, 128, 1175-1176 (1988). The research indicates that children
from high electromagnetic field exposure homes have a 50 percent greater
risk of developing cancer, particularly leukemia, lymphomas, and nervous
system tumors. Other data also show that men working in electrical jobs,
such as electricians and telephone lineman are at higher risk for brain
tumors and other cancers. In a recent study in the Los Angeles area, S.
Preston-Martin and collaborators at the University of Southern California
found that men who had worked for 10 years or more in a variety of
electrical occupations had a ten times greater chance of getting brain
tumors than men in the control group. [Preston-Martin, S., and Mack, W.
and Peters, Jr. "Astrocytoma Risk Related to Job Exposure to Electric and
Magnetic Fields," presented at DOE contractors Annual Review, Denver
Colo., Nov. 5-8, 1990.] A study performed by G. Matanoski of Johns Hopkins
University found a dose response relationship for cancers in male New York
Telephone employees from 1976 to 1980. [Matanoski, G., Elliot, E. and
Breysse, P. Poster presented at the annual DOE/EPRI Contractors Review of
Biological Effects from Electric and Magnetic Fields, November 1989,
Portland, Oreg.] Matanoski measured the average magnetic field exposure
among different types of employees and then installation and repair
workers. A comparison of the cancer rates among the various types of
employees showed that cable splicers were nearly twice as likely to
develop cancer as those employees who did not work on telephone lines.
Among central office workers those who were exposed to the short intense
fields of telephone switching equipment the rates of occurrence of cancers
were unusually high, although not as high as for cable splicers. The
central office workers were more than three times as likely to get
prostate cancer and more than twice as likely to get oral cancer as
co-workers who were less exposed. And there were two cases of male breast
cancer, a disease so rare that no cases at all would be expected.
The 60 Hz electromagnetic fields found in residential settings can vary
from about 0.05 .mu.T to over 1000 .mu.T. In-vitro experiments have
definitely shown that changes in biological cell function can occur in
fields as low or lower than 1 .mu.T and as high as 500 .mu.T. R. Goodman
and collaborators [Goodman, R. and Henderson, A., "Sine Waves Enhance
Cellular Transcription,"BIOELECTROMAGNETICS, 7, 23-29, 1986)] have shown
that RNA levels can be increased by electromagnetic fields ranging in
frequency from 15 to 4400 Hz with amplitudes of 18 to 1150 .mu.T. They
have shown that the RNA levels can be enhanced by factors of ten or more.
Jutilainen and coworkers [Jutilainen, J., Laara, E. and Saali, K., INT. J.
RADIAT. BIOL.,52, 787-793, (1987)] have shown that 1 .mu.T 50-Hertz
electromagnetic fields can induce abnormalities in chick embryos. Thus,
electromagnetic fields appear not only to be carcinogenic, but also
capable of inducing birth defects. Pollack and collaborators, C. T.
Brighton, E. O'Keefe, S. R. Pollack and C. C. Clark, J. ORTH. RES. (to be
published), have shown that electric fields as low as 0.1 mv/cm at 60 kHz
can stimulate growth of bone osteoblasts. McLeod and collaborators have
found that in the region between 1 Hz and 100 Hz, much lower fields are
needed to stimulate fibroblast growth than at frequencies above and below
this range [McLeod, K. J., Lee, R. and Ehrlich, H., "Frequency Dependence
of Electric Field Modulation of Fibroblast Protein Synthesis," SCIENCE,
250, 1465 (1987)].
Reported related research on animals is not as extensive as for humans, but
there is every reason to believe that the same adverse effects occur in
them as in humans. Therefore, protection of living systems including but
not limited to humans and animals are encompassed within the present
invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
I have concluded that the aforesaid adverse health effects upon living
systems (including but not limited to single cells, tissues, animals and
humans) may be inhibited by changing in time one or more of the
characteristic parameters of the ambient time varying electric, magnetic
or electromagnetic field to which the living system is exposed. This may
be done in a number of ways, for example, by changes in one or more of
frequency (period), amplitude, phase, direction in space and waveform of
the field to which the living system is exposed. As for the time periods
between changes, I have concluded that these time periods should be less
than approximately ten (10) seconds, and preferably should not exceed
approximately one (1) second. The changes may occur at regular or
irregular intervals. These changes can be accomplished by superimposing
these special time-dependent fields upon the ambient field, or by changing
with time the characteristic parameters of the original fields.
The change or changes in the ambient field should be about 10 percent or
more of the related characteristic parameters of the field before the
change.
My proposal to protect living systems from the adverse effects of electric,
magnetic or electromagnetic fields by creating special ambient fields as
aforesaid is based on my conclusion that something must be done to confuse
the biologic cell so that it can no longer respond to the usual fields
found in the home and work place. I have discovered that the fluctuating
fields mentioned above will prevent the adverse effects of the usual
environmental fields. As above stated, these fluctuations can occur either
in the amplitude, frequency (period), phase, wave form or
direction-in-space of the newly created "confusion" field.
To affect cell function some insult (e.g. drug, chemical, virus,
electromagnetic field, etc.) will cause a signal to be sent from receptors
(often at the cell membrane) into the biochemical pathways of the cell.
Although the exact receptor and signaling mechanism utilized by the cell
to recognize the fields is not known, I have discovered that this
mechanism can be stopped by confusing the cell with fields that vary in
time in the ways specified herein.
For example, a 60 Hz electromagnetic field having a magnetic component of
10 .mu.T can cause a two fold enhancement of the enzyme ornithine
decarboxylase. If this field is abruptly changed in frequency, amplitude,
wave form, direction or phase at intervals of more than 10 seconds, the
two fold enhancement persists. If, however, the frequency, amplitude or
waveform parameters are changed at approximately 1 second intervals, the
electromagnetic field has no effect. The cell does not respond because it
has become confused. Similar electric fields in tissue with amplitudes
ranging from 0.1 to 50 .mu.v/cm. can be useful in protecting the living
system from adverse effects. To create these fields at 60 Hz. the field
strength outside the living systems must be about one million times larger
(i.e. 0.1 to 50 v/cm.)
I consider that my invention functions with ambient fields having an
electric component of 5 Kv/M or less and/or a magnetic component of 500
.mu.T or less. As for lesser field strengths, electric components of 0.5
Kv/M and/or magnetic components of 50 .mu.T are exemplary.
For best results the confusion field should contain frequency components
similar to that contained in the ambient fields. The vector component of
the "confusion" field along the direction of the ambient field should be
approximately the same as the value of the ambient field. The time between
changes in properties such as frequency, phase, direction, waveform or
amplitude should be less than 5 seconds for partial prevention of adverse
effects but preferably less than 1 second for much more complete
protection.
It is preferred to have the field to which the living system is exposed be
my confusion field for the duration of the exposure. However, benefit will
be achieved if my confusion field is in existence for only a major portion
of the total exposure time.
I have referred above to electric, magnetic and electromagnetic fields
because, insofar as they are distinct, ambient fields of each type are
capable of causing harm to living systems, but if changed according to my
invention will inhibit the on-set of adverse effects. For convenience in
the remainder of this specification and in the claims, I use the term
electromagnetic field as a generic description embracing the three types
of fields.
DISCUSSION OF BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
To the best of my knowledge, to date no one has heretofore proposed my
invention, although over ten years have elapsed since the first
recognition of the dangers of chronic electromagnetic field exposures to
humans.
There have been many teachings about the use of electromagnetic fields to
treat humans for pre-existing diseases or conditions. For example, U.S.
Pat. No. 4,066,065 (Kraus 1978) describes a coil structure to create a
magnetic field for treatment of a hip joint. U.S. Pat. No. 4,105,017
(Ryaby 1978) describes a surgically non-invasive method of and apparatus
for altering the growth, repair or maintenance behavior of living tissues
by inducing voltages and concomitant current pulses. U.K. Patent GB 2 188
238 A (Nenov et al. 1986) describes an apparatus alleged to provide
analgesic, trophic and anti-inflammatory effects. Costa (1987) U.S. Pat.
4,665,898 describes a magnetic coil apparatus for treatment of malignant
cells with little damage to normal tissue. An apparatus for treatment of
diseases of the peripheral and autonomic nervous system as well as other
diseases has been described by Solovleva et al. ("Polyus-1' Apparatus for
Low-Frequency Magnetotherapy," G. Soloreva, V. Eremin and R. Gorzon,
BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING (Trans. of: Med. Tekh, (USSR)), Vol. 7, No. 5, pp.
291-4 (1973).
The above procedures are usually referred to as "magnetotherapeutic"
procedures. My invention focuses instead on the prevention of disease
caused by long term exposure to ambient time varying electromagnetic
fields. To date, no other proposals have been presented which utilize
modifications of the time dependence of the ambient fields to prevent
adverse health effects of ambient electromagnetic fields. Basic to all the
patents and articles which describe the treatment of pre-existing diseases
by electromagnetic fields (magnetic therapy) is the assumption that
electric or magnetic fields (often of large magnitude, e.g. 1 to 100 T
Ryaby 1978), if applied for some limited period of time, can beneficially
alter the functioning of the cells and tissues within living systems. Now
that it is known that chronic, long term exposure to even very low level,
time varying electromagnetic fields (e.g., magnetic fields as low as 0.5
.mu.T) can cause some of the very diseases which short term therapeutic
doses of these fields are used to treat. Methods of protection from the
biological effects of magnetic fields have been sorely needed. To find
this protection it was necessary for me to recognize that magnetic therapy
is carried out by affecting biologic cell function. It had to be realized
that if magnetic therapy does not affect the physiological functioning of
the living system then no therapeutic effect could result. What was
needed, which the present invention provides, is a method of modifying the
ambient fields in which living systems exist in such a way that they have
no effect on cell function. This modified field has no utility in the
treatment of any disease or biologic malfunction. This modified field is
not of any use in magnetic therapy. However, this modified field (because
it does not affect the function of the cells and tissues of the living
system) has no adverse health effects. Thus, long term exposure to these
modified fields will be safe. These modified fields would not, for
example, increase the risk of developing cancer.
However, none of the above authors, or anyone else before me, had
discovered that periodically changing these very low ambient fields as
described elsewhere herein can prevent harmful effects of electromagnetic
fields.
OBSERVATIONS IN SUPPORT OF THE INVENTION
I have been able to support the operability of my invention by several
observations and procedures. One observation has been the effect of
coherence time (defined herein as the time interval between changes of the
characteristic parameters of the fields) of the applied field on
bioelectromagnetic enhancement of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) specific
activity.
Specific activities of this highly inducible enzyme were examined following
mammalian cell culture exposure to electromagnetic fields. Monolayer
cultures of logarithmically growing L929 cells were exposed to fields
alternating between 55 and 65 Hz. The magnetic field strength was 1 .mu.T
peak. The cells were exposed to the fields for four hours. The time
intervals between frequency shifts varied from 1 to 50 seconds. See Table
1.
TABLE 1
Role of Time Intervals Between
Frequency Changes on the Effectiveness of
Electromagnetic Exposure in Modifying ODC Activity
Ratio of ODC Activity in Exposed
Compared to Unexposed Cells
Time interval between frequency
changes (seconds)
0.1 1 5 10 50
(1) ELF (55 -- 1 1.4 1.9 2.3
to 65 Hz)
(2) Microwaves 1 1 1.5 2.1 2.1
(modulated
alternately
by 65 and
55 Hz)
It can be seen from Table 1, (1), that when the time intervals between
frequency shifts in the electromagnetic fields were 10 seconds or greater,
the electromagnetic field exposure resulted in a two-fold increase in ODC
activity. When the time intervals between frequency shifts (i.e. between
55 Hz and 65 Hz) were shortened to less than 10 seconds, the effectiveness
of these ELF (extremely low frequency) fields in increasing ODC activity
diminished. At 1 second and below the fields had no effect at all (i.e.,
the activity of the exposed mammalian cells was the same as for unexposed
cells). Thus we see that introducing changes in parameters of the
electromagnetic field at short enough time intervals prevents any action
of the field on cell function.
This finding applies to electromagnetic frequencies as high as the
microwave region. Similar data were obtained using 0.9 GHz microwaves
modulated at frequencies changing between 55 and 65 Hz at intervals of
time ranging from 0.1 to 50 seconds. A 60 percent amplitude modulation was
used and the specific absorption rate was 3 mW/g. As can be seen in Table
1, (2), when the time interval was 10 seconds or greater, this microwave
field also caused a two-fold increase in ODC activity. At shorter time
intervals the effect of the field on ODC activity diminished. When the
time intervals between changes were one second or less, the field had no
effect on ODC activity.
To further demonstrate the protective effect of my confusion fields, I
studied the effects of modulation on the ability of exogenous
electromagnetic fields to act as a teratogen and cause abnormalities in
chick embryos. In experimental methods now described, I modulated the
amplitude of a 60 Hz electromagnetic field. Fertilized White Leghorn eggs
were obtained from Truslow Farms of Chestertown, Md. These were placed
between a set of Helmholtz coils inside an incubator kept at 37.5.degree.
C. During the first 48 hours of incubation one group of eggs was exposed
to a 60 Hz continuous wave (cw) sinusoidal electromagnetic field whose
amplitude was 1 .mu.T. Another group was exposed to a 60 Hz cw sinusoidal
electromagnetic field whose amplitude was 4 .mu.T. Another group of eggs
was exposed to a 60 Hz sinusoidal electromagnetic field whose amplitude
was varied from 1.5 to 2.5 .mu.T at 1 second intervals. Control eggs were
simply placed in the incubator and not exposed to an electromagnetic
field. After 48 hours of incubation the embryos were removed from their
shells and examined histologically. It was found that the control group
(not exposed to the 60 Hz magnetic field) exhibited about 8 percent
abnormalities. The embryo groups exposed to 1 .mu.T and 4 .mu.T fields had
a higher abnormality rate (14 percent) than the controls indicating that
these fields had indeed induced abnormalities. Those embryos exposed to
the fields modulated at 1 second intervals had an abnormality rate the
same as the unexposed eggs. Thus the 1 second modulation (or coherence
time) effectively eliminated the teratogenic effect of the magnetic field.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
I will next describe various techniques and apparatus for carrying out my
invention. These descriptions will be aided by reference to the
accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a plot of amplitude vs. time of a sinusoidal function modulated
as to amplitude.
FIG. 2 is a plot of amplitude vs. time of a sinusoidal function modulated
as to frequency.
FIG. 3 is a diagram of a circuit for modulating electric current through a
plumbing pipe.
FIG. 4 is a diagram of a protective circuit for an electric blanket.
FIG. 5 is a diagram of a protective apparatus for use with a video display
terminal.
FIG. 6 is a diagram of another form of protective circuit for use with a
video display terminal.
FIG. 7 is a diagram of a protective system for use in a space occupied by
humans.
FIG. 8 is a diagram of a mat for placement on or under a mattress used for
sleeping purposes.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
There are many different methods and related apparatus of converting a
harmful field into a "confusion" field. Some of these are as follows:
1. Place several time dependent grounding devices on the metal plumbing
pipes. These devices cause fluctuating paths for electric current in the
plumbing pipe and therefore fluctuating fields in any room in the house or
other human or animal-occupied structure.
2. Insert fluctuating resistance paths in series with heating devices such
as electric blankets.
3. Place devices near appliances and computers which create fluctuating
electromagnetic fields near the computers or appliances. These fields are
superimposed on the uncontrolled source of the original harmful field.
4. Eliminate hazards created by the electromagnetic fields in the region
around electric devices, by modulating the electric current flowing in the
device. The modulation can be caused by means which are external or
internal to the device.
5. Eliminate hazards created by the electromagnetic fields in the region
around electric devices, by modulating the voltage in the device. This
modulation can be caused by means which are external or internal to the
device.
6. Eliminate hazards created by the electromagnetic fields in the region
around electric devices, by modulating the electromagnetic field around
the device. This modulation can be caused by means which are external or
internal to the device.
7. Eliminate hazards created by the electromagnetic fields in the region
around electric heaters, such as electric blankets, heating pads, and
electrically heated water beds, by modulating the current and/or voltage
in the device. This modulation can be caused by means which are external
or internal to the device.
8. Eliminate hazards created by the electromagnetic fields in the region
around electric power distribution systems by superimposing a modulated
electromagnetic field in the region of space to be protected.
9. Eliminate hazards created by the electromagnetic fields in the region
around the metallic plumbing used to ground electrical lines by
superimposing a modulated electromagnetic field in the region of space to
be protected. This can be done by passing modulated currents through the
plumbing itself or by passing modulated currents through external
circuits.
10. Eliminate hazards created by the electromagnetic fields around cathode
ray tube devices such as video display terminals and television sets by
superimposing a modulated electromagnetic field. The source of this
electromagnetic field can be placed either inside or external to the
device.
11. Eliminate hazards created by the electromagnetic fields in the region
around microwave ovens by superimposing a modulated electromagnetic field
in the region of space to be protected.
12. Clearly many of the above procedures may be adapted to protect
laboratories, industrial plants, etc., wherein cells not in humans or in
multi-cell living systems may exist.
SPECIFIC PROTECTIVE ARRANGEMENTS
Any voltage, current, electric field, magnetic field, or electromagnetic
field which varies repetitively in time can be described by its waveform,
peak amplitude (A), frequency (period), direction and phase. Modulation of
the wave refers to the time dependent variation of any of these
parameters. For example, pulse modulation of the amplitude of any of the
parameters refers to a change in amplitude. Two examples of this
modulation are shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. In FIG. 1 the amplitude is
modulated by a pulse. Thus, for a period of time, T.sub.1 the amplitude of
the sinusoidally varying voltage is A,. For a second time period, T.sub.2,
the amplitude is A.sub.2. The values of T.sub.1 T.sub.2 need not be equal
but they must each be about second or less for best results. Many
variations in the modulation of a time varying voltage can be used, such
as a sinusoidal modulation of the original sine wave. Thus, a 60 Hz sine
voltage could be amplitude modulated by a 1 Hz sinusoidal variation.
Another possibility is a saw tooth variation in the amplitude of a 60 Hz
sine voltage. In all of the possible modulated fields, at least one of the
parameters, such as amplitude, waveform, phase, direction or frequency
must not be constant for a time duration of more than about 1 second.
Thus, for example, in FIGS. 1 and 2 the values of T.sub.1 and T.sub.2 must
not be longer than about 1 second. For best results, A.sub.1 should be
greater than 1.2A.sub.2, and preferably greater than 2A.sub.2. Similarly
w.sub.1 (omega.sub.1) should be at least 20 percent larger than w.sub.2
and preferably 50 percent larger than w.sub.2.
Whenever a microwave field is being modulated at a frequency of 100,000 Hz
or less, steps should be taken to achieve protection under my present
invention by periodic parameter changing as described herein.
Protection from copper plumbing may readily be achieved. With reference to
FIG. 3, devices 10 are switches either electronically or mechanically
controlled which switch on and off at intervals of one second (e.g. one
second on and one second off). During the "on" intervals this will cause
some of the current flowing past point A and B in the copper pipe 12 to
alternately flow through ground rather than entirely through the pipe.
Thus, the current flow from A to B (which creates an electromagnetic field
in the working and living spaces of the structure) will be modulated (by
reduction in current) at intervals of no greater than one second. The
number of devices needed will depend on the complexity of the piping.
Protection from electric blankets is readily achieved. In FIG. 4 device 14
(the protective circuit) is a switch which turns the electric current
through the blanket 16 on and off at intervals of one second. The device
14 need not switch the current completely off. It could, for example,
reduce the current by 50 percent, and then within one second return the
current to its full value. The device 18 is the usual thermostat supplied
with electric blankets. Neither the "on" nor the "off" interval should be
greater than 3 seconds, and preferably one second.
Harmful effects of video display terminals may be avoided. In FIG. 5 the
video display terminal 20 is protected by a source 22 of electromagnetic
field. B.sub.VDT and B.sub.PD are, respectively, the magnetic fields of
the video display terminal (VDT) and the protective device (PD). The
average amplitude of B.sub.PD at any point in the region to be protected
should be greater than 50 percent of the amplitude of the field due to the
VDT. Preferably, the average amplitude B.sub.PD should be at least twice
the amplitude of B.sub.VDT. If the protective field of PD is in the same
direction as the VDT field it will be most effective. If the PD field is
perpendicular to the VDT field, it must be five times larger than the VDT
field.
FIG. 6 is a system like that in FIG. 5 except here the PD 24 is a coil
mounted around the VTD 20.
The protective device can be any device which generates a time varying
modulated electromagnetic field.
For example, if a coil with ten turns of wire is to be used, it can be
mounted either as in FIG. 1, or in
FIG. 2. In FIG. 1 the coil is placed on a surface near the VDT and oriented
so that its field intersects the field of the VDT. In FIG. 2 the coil is
placed around the outer edge of the front of the VDT. In a typical VDT the
coil could be a square about 40 cm on each side. The average current in
the coil should be adjusted so that the average field at the front and
center of the monitor due to the coil is preferably about equal to that
field at the same point due to the VDT. For example, if the average field
at the very front of the monitor is 10 .mu.T a 10 turn coil of wire 40 cm
on edge could have a 60 Hz cw current of approximately 0.35 amps flowing
through it. The current could be alternatively 0.5 amps for 1 second and
then 0.2 amps for 1 second.
It will be understood that a standard TV set (one case of VDT) can be
protected in the same manner as VDTs or "computers". Oscilloscopes may
similarly be protected.
Large areas may also be protected. Referring to FIG. 7, 26 and 28 are large
coils of wire (e.g. 7 ft high by 7 ft wide) mounted on or near opposite
walls of a room, or on the floor and ceiling. The latter configuration is
more effective than the former when the ambient fields are in a vertical
direction. It is assumed that the room is exposed to a cw electromagnetic
field that is dangerous to living systems. Modulated current (e.g., "on"
and "off" at one second intervals) flows through the coils. The current
and the modulation in coil 26 is kept in phase with the current and
modulation in coil 28. The pair of coils act as Helmoholtz coils and tend
to keep the field in the protected region more uniform than if a single
coil were used. The average amplitude of the current in the coils should
be such that the electromagnetic field produced by the coils at every
point in the region to be protected is at least 50 percent of the
erstwhile ambient field and preferably 5 to 10 times the ambient value.
A single coil can be used instead of the a pair of coils. The larger the
coil the better; a larger coil will provide a more uniform protected
region than a small one.
Special mats containing coils can be used in the home, laboratory, or other
living system inhabited place to provide general protection. For example,
a large percentage of the time spent at home is by a human sleeping on a
bed. Thus, it would be useful for those who live near power distribution
lines to use a device which puts the human in a protective "confusion"
field during the time during which he is lying on the bed. As shown in
FIG. 8, this can be done by imbedding a many turn coil of wire 30 in a mat
32 and placing this mat either on or under the mattress 34, but near the
head of the bed for maximum protection of the vital organs. The wire
should be of low resistance, since it would be used year round and should
not have significant heating of the bed or its occupants. This coil of
wire would have the modulated current flowing through it during all
seasons. The modulated electromagnetic field would protect the occupants
of the bed from the ambient electromagnetic fields in the room. For
example for a queen size bed a square coil of wire with 10 turns
approximately 60 inches by 60 inches square and with 0.14 amperes of
current flowing will yield at the center of the coil a magnetic field in
the vertical direction of about 1 micro Tesla. If the bed is over 100 feet
away from a power line 20 feet in the air, the ambient magnetic field due
to the power line is also in the vertical direction. Thus, we have an
optimum alignment of the field of the coil and that of the power line. To
create a confusion field the current in the coil should vary from about
0.03 amperes to 0.07 amperes and back at least once every second yielding
a coil field at the center which fluctuates between 0.5 and 0.2 .mu.T.
Assuming that the power line is 1 .mu.T, the total field near the center
will (if the coil field is in phase with the power line field) change from
1.2 .mu.T to 1.5 .mu.T and back every second. If the fields are out of
phase the net field will vary from 0.5 to 0.75 .mu.T every second. Either
of these conditions would protect the occupants from exposure to the power
line field. The above coil could be combined within an electric blanket so
that the blanket would serve a dual purpose of heating and protecting.
Such mats also may be adapted for use with chairs, or placed on tables or
kitchen counters, or wherever humans or animals spend considerable time.
Conclusion
Upon reading this application many variations and modifications of my
method and apparatus inventions will become apparent to the reader.
Therefore, the scope of my inventions is to be determined from the
appended claims.
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